What is a Defra Approved Wood Burning Stove?
If you reside in an area where smoking is controlled, it's important to purchase a DEFRA-exempt stove. A DEFRA exempt (or SE) stove allows you to burn wood legally in a smoke-controlled zone.
The stoves are tested independently to ensure the lowest emissions possible. Stoves that have this status are often branded with the 'Defra-approved logo on their name or specification.
Approved for Smoke Controlled Areas
Many people believe that living in a smoke-free area means they can't use a fireplace with wood. This isn't the case. Most cities and large towns are within a smoke control zone however, that doesn't mean that they can't use a wood burning stove. It's simply that they have to burn approved fuels in their stove (usually Briquettes). The Defra-approved stove is a wood-burning stove that has been thoroughly tested to ensure that it is in compliance with certain requirements in terms of the emissions it generates when burning authorised materials. This means it can be legally used in smoke-control zones.
The
DEFRA approved high-quality stoves Logo is widely used in the industry, and
DEFRA Stoves comparison many stoves feature the SE after their names to indicate they are smoke-free. To be SE approved the stove must satisfy strict emission requirements. This means you can be sure that you are purchasing the top wood stove available.
If you are looking for a wood-burning stove which is Defra-exempt or has SE after its name You will notice that the manufacturer may have done things like ensure that there are enough air intakes on the front of the stove to allow for full combustion of the fuel, and that the size of the chimney outlet is sufficient to avoid soot accumulation. This is crucial as it helps to ensure that the smoke from the stove does not escape through the chimney into your home.
A Defra-approved stove allows you to install a 5" liner that is in compliance with UK building regulations. Non-Defra-approved stoves require a 6" liner.
At Stovax we are delighted to offer a range of Defra approved stoves and fires, alongside our Ecodesign Ready stoves that have been created with the future of air quality standards in mind. Many of our stoves that are Defra-approved can also be used in combination with a smoke control system for properties that are located in Smoke Control Areas. They can be used to burn a variety non-smokeless fuels, such as fire logs.
Approved for Smokeless Fuels
A DEFRA approved wood burning stove, also referred to as a DEFRA exempt stove is the only type of stove that you can put in a smoke control area when you plan to use it to burn solid fuel (wood and preferably well-seasoned). The government tests them to ensure they don't release excessive smoke and can be used only with approved fuels.
The difference between the difference between a DEFRA approved stove and a non-approved one typically is very small. With a kit from the manufacturer, many modern stoves can be transformed into DEFRA certified in a matter of minutes. This is due to the fact that Defra approved appliances must pass extremely stringent tests and have a limit on the amount of smoke they are able to produce.
To ensure that the restrictions are not violated, the stove must be able limit its combustion air to ensure that it doesn't deprive itself of oxygen which can cause it smoulder. This is accomplished through an opening mechanism that lets a small amount air into the firebox when it's burning. It is typically hidden in the stove or under the base of its firebox.
Stove World UK has a large selection of DEFRA approved stoves, made by some of the best manufacturers in the world such as Stovax Arada and Burley. They are available in a huge variety of styles and finishes. Select from a broad selection of Ecodesign stoves, which are designed to meet the future needs for air quality.
Smoke Control Zones are predominantly in large cities and towns. You can visit the website of your local authority to see if you live in one. If you live in a smoke-free zone, it is essential to purchase an DEFRA approved stove for your home, to avoid being fined by the local authority. This is because if you burn unauthorised fuel on an unapproved stove, such as coal or any other solid fuels, you could be fined up to PS300.
Approved for Wood
A DEFRA approved stove, also known as a smoke-free wood stove is an appliance that can be used to burn wood in smoke Control Area. The stove will bear the Defra approved symbol or 'SE' the front of its name, which means it is only permitted to be used in smoke-controlled areas if you burn approved fuels. In this case, wood.
A lot of older wood stoves release a lot of particulate matter into the atmosphere that can trigger or contribute to respiratory problems, asthma attacks, heart issues and premature death. Therefore, it is essential to buy a wood stove that is compliant with the strict emission standards set forth by the Environmental Protection Agency. Look for the "EPA 2020 Certified Label" which means that the stove has met the emission limits currently in place.
If you buy a stove that isn't EPA-certified and you live in a smoking area you'll have to renew the certification before you can use the stove. It can be costly and time-consuming, but it is required by law. Homeowners who decide to sell a property with wood stoves that are not certified may also be liable for tax credits or fines that relate to the clean air.
With a kit or an adjustment supplied by the installer, the majority of modern stoves can be Defra approved. The primary difference between DEFRA approved stoves and ones that aren't is the combustion air control system that regulates the amount of air that passes through the stove in normal operation. The modification will usually be made on the underside of the firebox or within the base.
Certain manufacturers will make two versions of their wood stoves one that is Defra approved and the other not. This is due to the process of placing a stove through strict Defra tests can be very costly and to offset some of the costs, they'll offer the non-approved version at a cheaper cost. The
DEFRA stoves advantages-approved version will have undergone the combustion air modification as part of the testing procedure.
Gas Approved
Before the Clean Air Acts were brought into effect,
defra stoves Comparison residential homes could use any type of fuel they wanted which resulted in large quantities of smoke emissions and health problems. To prevent this Defra established Smoke Control Areas which meant that residential homes couldn't produce any smoke from their multifuel stoves or wood burners unless the appliance was Defra approved for burning only fuels that were authorised, such as manufactured smokeless coals and anthracite.
Defra approved SE (Smoke-Exempt) Stoves have been put through rigorous tests to prove they can burn authorised fuels cleanly within a Smoke Control Zone. The latest technology for combustion delivers an unabated minimum of secondary air into the firebox. This lets the stove meet Defra regulations for Smoke Control Areas even when it is used with approved fuels such as anthracite or manufactured smokeless coals.
If you're looking to purchase an all-new wood burning stove and you live in Smoke Control Area then we recommend to look into the selection of Defra approved stoves which can be found at The Stove Yard. We have a broad range of traditional, contemporary and inset Defra approved stoves from industry-leading manufacturers such as Stovax, Arada, Burley and AGA.
The good thing is that there is no visual difference between a stove approved by DEFRA stoves comparison (
Www.diggerslist.com) and a stove that is not approved. However the stoves that are approved by Defra include a few features designed to make them burn more efficiently.
